Earth Day is an annual event, held on April 22^nd to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally, which includes nearly 1 billion people in more than 193 countries.

One-third of our Aeronautical Center (MMAC) colleagues have already been working on-site, with many more returning in April. It’s been a long two years since many employees thought about MMAC energy and its environmental impact on our planet. The MMAC has approximately 3.6 million square feet of work space on 1,100 acres.

Over the last five years, the MMAC has:

• Generated 77,588,364 pounds of solid waste
• Generated 131,896 pounds of Hazardous Waste, and 181,300 pounds of Universal Waste
• Used 344,140,326 Kilowatt-hours (KWH) of electricity
• Used 377,411 Million Cubic Feet (MCF) of natural gas
• Used 243,347,000 Gallons of water

Those are big numbers!

In recent years the MMAC has:

• Diverted approximately 76% of our solid waste by reusing or recycling. Our excessed furniture and electronics are sold for reuse. The materials we recycle include aluminum, metal, toner, crate shop lumber, cardboard, publications, batteries, aircraft tires, light fixture lamps, used oil, office paper, fire extinguishers, plastics and refrigerants. We also compost our grass clippings.


• We started tracking our energy reduction in FY2003. Over the years, the MMAC’s energy use has been reduced but the occupied area has increased as new buildings have been added. For this reason, we track our energy intensity (which is energy per gross square foot). Our electricity intensity has decreased by 30%! Our natural gas intensity has decreased by 26%!


• 15% of our electricity is procured from renewable sources!


• By rethinking our irrigation, the MMAC decreased water use by 37%!

Although social distancing and maximum telework prevented employees from having an Earth Day celebration on the Center again this year, the importance of taking care of our environment and conserving our energy resources remains a priority. We can all have an impact on the environment by making environmentally-friendly decisions on a day-to-day basis. Employees can continue the spirit of sustainable practices by turning off their computers and lights when leaving work, participating in the Aeronautical Center Recycling Program, and reporting potential water leaks or energy waste to the AMP trouble desk at ext. 4-3687.

With your help we are making a difference, protecting our nation’s natural resources, and taking care of our beautiful planet earth.